How to Address Concerns About
the Process of Psychotherapy
Sometimes, even when you have chosen a mental health
professional carefully, you may have doubts about the treatment
effectiveness or the match between you and your psychotherapist. It is
predictable that you may experience some discomfort as you begin to
deal with the range of feelings that are uncovered or released through
the process of therapy. It is not unusual for you to experience
considerable uncertainty and confusion as you explore difficult
feelings with your psychotherapist. This is especially true during the
early stages of therapy.
Do not make the mistake of simply discontinuing therapy when
problems or difficulties occur! Remember, therapy is a process: change
and healing become possible as you address issues within the context of
the therapeutic relationship you are able to establish with your
psychotherapist. It is important to discuss your concerns openly with
your psychotherapist because the experience may yield valuable
information, and you may discover a variety of options that are
available to you.
Sometimes you may go through a period of getting worse before
things seem to get better. This period of time may be brief or its
duration may be more lengthy. Sometimes it may be important for you to
become more assertive concerning the issues on which you want to
concentrate in your therapy. And sometimes you may find that you
experience feelings of discomfort with your psychotherapist. Discussing
these feelings directly with your psychotherapist can help you to
decipher whether you are encountering old issues within the context of
the therapeutic relationship or whether the feelings indicate other
areas of concern that need to be addressed by you and your
psychotherapist.
Whether the psychotherapist you have selected is open to
discussing these kinds of concerns, or if she or he discounts or
minimizes your feelings, also provides important information that will
help you decide what to do next. If, after discussing your concerns
thoroughly, you still have doubts, obtaining a second opinion is not
only your right, but also your responsibility. Simply contact another
psychotherapist and ask for a second opinion evaluation.
Should you decide to terminate with your current
psychotherapist, it is customary to schedule at least one appointment
to evaluate what you have accomplished and to reach closure. If you
decide to stay with your psychotherapist, it is important to discuss
the second opinion openly in session.
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